Stapling machine



Dec. 30, 1941. OBSTFELD ETAL STAPLING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Jam/#54 NCHER L ou 0B5 TFEL D M y ATTORNEY Dec; 1941- L. OBSTFELD ET.AL 2,267,990

STAPLING MACHINE INVENTORS Joxwfii E1 NCHER Lou OBSTFELD %K M BY ATTORNEY C- 1941- L. QBSTFELD ET AL V 2,267,990

STAPLING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1958 4r Sheets- Sheet 5 INVENTORS Ja /vb. fA/vc ER ATTORNEY 4 L ou OBSTFELQ' I K 9% BY' Y es. 3.0, 1941. i OBSTFELD ET AL 2,267,990

STAPLING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I4 T IILLVIZIH INVENTO' B JOHN H. ANCHER Lou OBSTFELD ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 30, 1941 STAPLING MACHINE Lou Obstfeld, Brooklyn, N. Y., and John H. Fancher, Chatham, N. L; said Fancher assignor to Abraham Obstfeld, New York, N. Y.

Application May 24, 1938, Serial No. 209,682 21 Claims. (or. 1- 9) This invention relates to stapling machines, and more particularly to a small, pocketable, plier type stapling machine.

The primary object of the invention is to generally improve stapling machines. A more particular object is to so construct the machine that the mechanism is substantially fully enclosed by the handles, so that the finished machine presents a sleek or streamlined appearance which is very attractive, all in addition to the useful function of protectively enclosing and housing the mechanical parts of the machine. Another object is'to provide a stapling machine all of the parts of which are formed of sheet metal, so that the machine is inexpensive to manufacture and light in weight, while at the same time so designing and shaping the parts that they are rigid and ample in strength.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects, the upper handle of the machine is formed of a downwardly bent piece of sheet metal, while the lower handle is formed of an upwardly bent piece of sheet metal, with the sides of the lower handle fitting just within the sides of the upper handle, while the stapling arm and associated mechanism is received with the sides of the lower handle and is housed within the two handles.

The restoring springs of the machine are reversely bent leaf springs and are housed in the handles. one being located between the staplingarmand the upper handle, and the other between the stapling arm and the lower handle. In accordance with further features and objects of the invention, these springs serve additional functions, one of said springs operating to anchor a pivot pin of the machine against axial movement, and the other being used to help anchor the hook of the staple pusher rod against accidental dislodgement. The pivot pin referred to passes through the upper handle. and is therefore exposed at its ends. This pivot pin does not pass through the lower handle. Another main pivot pin which passes through the lower handle but not the upper handle, is readily located in place against axial movement by the deep, downwardly turned sides of the upper handle. The restoring springs between the stapling arm and the handles tend to move longitudinally during movement of the handles, and appropriate locating means are provicled for each of the springs to prevent the same from escaping from proper location, without interfering with their above-described functions.

The forward end of the stapling arm is so dimensioned as to be received within and to just close the open forward end of the upper handle when the machine is at rest, and this further adds to the smart enclosed, smooth appearance of the machine.

Other objects of the invention center about the may beprovided with a single clinching slot, and this maybe formed directly in the anvil support. In somewhat more complex form, however, a movable clinching anvil is:uscd so that the staple legs may be either clinched or spread, for permanent or temporary fastening, respectively. In accordance with the present invention, the clinching anvil is a U-shaped member folded around and frictionally gripping the anvil support. It is guided against sideward movement by the arms of the anvil support, and is limited in movement by appropriate pin and slot con- I nection; Hardening of the anvil may vary the exact shape or dimension of the U-shaped member because of strain in the material, and we provide a special friction-increasing projection for cooperation between the anvil and anvil support, this projection helping to locate the anvil in either of its extreme positions. The anvil is also preferably arranged for the forcible ejection of a clogged staple. This is done by the provision of a passage such that an ejected staple may clear the anvil and the anvil support. With this arrangement the stapling arm may be moved down against the anvil, and the driving blade thereupon actuated to force the clogged staple out of the machine and through the aforesaid passage. The passage may be made ,by an apertured slot in the anvil, or by permitting such extreme movement of the anvil that the staple can pass alongside the anvil.

Further objects of our invention center about the driving blade and drive channel for the staples. In accordance with one feature, the

arm which actuates the driving blade has associted with it stroke control mechanism whichis made of inexpensive sheet metal, and which is particularly thin in a sideward direction, and

- therefore well adapted for use in combination through. a driving blade resting against the inner.

wear plate, an outer wear plate resting against the driving blade and inner wear plate, one of said wear plates. preferably the outer, being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and staples. This assembly is securely yet, yieldably held together by means of a plate bent to U-shape and received around the side plates of the staplingarm and the wear plates. The said plate is preferably made of spring metal, and the connecting,part or crossbar of the U is bent convexly inward to form a re:ilient support for holding the wear plates together, so that the drive channel is tightly maintained in proper dimension, but may expand-in clinching anvil. In simplest form, the machine L 0 the event of clogging or jamming of staples.

The staple arm includes a staple core with a staple pusher slidable thereon, and the end of the staple pusher is dimensioned like a staple vention is to make possible this feed of the last staple, while at the same time preventing theend of the staple pusher from being struck by the staple driving blade, and to this end the. staple pusher is provided with an appropriate stop to prevent movement of the end of the pusher beyond the outer face of the wear plate.

Further objects deal with the loading of a clip or stick of staples into the machine. It has been "mentioned that the staple arm is substantially.-- f ully enclosed within the deep, overlapping sides of the handles. The; rear end of the staple arm is, of course, openifbrjrear loading. To facilitate the loading of the'j'st'aple stick into i the-end; of the magazine, wefprovide a special saddle tor downwardly curvedzguide' surface projecting arearwardly from the fe'ndfof' the staple core so that the staple stick maybe preliminarily restedon said guide and then-pushed into the magazine. After the staple clip has been slid into the magazine, it is next necessary to replace the staple pusher. This is carried at the end of a pusher rod onwhich it is slidable and which also carries the feed spring. In accordance with our invention, at least the forward end of the pusher rod is made non-circular in "section, and a mating slot is provided on the pusher for receiving the end of the rod, and thereby preventing rotation 'of the pusher relative to the rod during insertion of the pusher in the staple magazine.

This latter feature of the invention is not claimed herein, as it forms the subject matter of a divisional application Serial No. 366,090, filed November 18, 1940.

A further object of our invention is to make possible the accurate positioning of a staple on the material being stapled. This is often' difficult becausethe material itself covers the clinching slot on the anvil and there is no other guide as to the exact location of the staple. We provide marks, preferably arrows, at the sides of the stapling arm, and in alignment with the drive channel, thus indicating the location of the staple. Moreover, inasmuch as the stapling arm is concealed within the forward end of the upper handle or housing of the machine when the machine is at rest, we preferably provide additional arrows or marks on the sides of the upper handle so that a person using the machine will seethe prospective location of the staple throughout the stapling operation.

Still another object of our invention is to facilitate the removal of a clinched staple when a staple has been mistakenly driven, or when the papers which have been secured together must be separated,'and with this object in view we provide a relatively thin-edged blade having a width less than the distance between the legs of the staple, said blade being formed integrally with and projecting from one end of the machine, for example the rear end of the upper handle, although such a blade may also be provided at the forward end of the machine, and both locations are illustrated in the present disclosure.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, our

invention consists in the stapling machine ele- 76 ments and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularlydescribed in the specification and sought 'to be defined in the claims. .The specification is accompanied by drawings in which: 7 I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view his. complete stapling machine embodying features of our invention; 1

. Fig. 2 is a section taken in elevation through the machine. This section is in the plane of the line 22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken in the plane- -of.the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig.1 4 is a transverse section taken in the plane of the .fline 4-4 of Fi 2; Fig; 51s a transverse section taken in the plane ofthelinei-iofFig2; Fig. 6 is a section taken in elevation through the. forward end of the stapling arm, and shows some of the details of the staple pusherto enlargedscale:

Fig. 'l is a section taken in elevation through the anvil. a Fig. 7a is a perspec ve view showing the manner in which the parts'of the anvil are assembled together; r L. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through the driv ing channel, and is taken in the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the component parts at the drive channel are assembled together;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the stroke control mechanism showing the position of the same when the driving blade is in uppermost positlon;

' Fig. 11 is a partially sectioned side elevation of the stroke control mechanism with the driving blade moved downwardly somewhat;

Fig. 12 shows the relation of the parts near the bottom of the driving stroke;

Fig. 13 shows the relation of the parts near the end of the upward or restoring movement of the driving blade;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view explanatory of the indications which help properly locate the staple;

Fig. 15 is explanatory of a modified anvil mounting; I

Fig. 16 is a partially sectioned plan view there- Fig. 1'7 is a perspective view. showing the construction of the staple pusher;

Fig. 18 shows a modified anvil of simplified character which may be used when the machine is intended solely for clinching the staples;

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the stapling arm with the parts of the drive channel removed;

Fig. 20 is'a side elevation of the lower handle with the blade driving arm projecting therefrom; Fig. 21 is a side elevation showing the manner in which the stapling arm and lower handle are assembled together;

Fig. 22 is a section similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts in an intermediate position; and

Fig. 23 is a similar section showing the relation of the parts at the end of the staple driving operation.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, the stapling machine is of the plier type, and comprises an upper handle l2, and. a lower handle H. The lines l5 are merely ornamental, and not functional. It further comprises a stapling arm not visible in Fig. 1 but shown in Figs. 2 and l9 this arm being generof the mechanism of the machine, as will be. evident from inspection of the section through the machine shown in Fig. 2.

The handles are made of relatively heavy gauge sheet metal, the upper handle l2 having deep, downwardly bent sides 18,- and the lower handle having deep. upwardly vbent sides 20. The sides of'handlell are-spaced'apart an amount equal to or slightly less thainternal spaca aeaeeo ing of the sides'll8. orinotherwordsgithe'lower handleis received within the upper handle with.

the 'sidesoverlapplng, as is shown in the drawthe'description if the general configuration-e01 theithree main parts of the machine isfixed in mind. The upper handle I2 is clearly shown in Fig. 1', and has not been redrawn as a separate element." It may be mentioned in a-preliminary way., however, that the anvil support arms I16, while made of a separate piece of metal from handle II, are welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto so that the anvil and upper handle are a single operative part of the machine.

' The lower handle has been separately redrawn in Fig. 20, and it will there be seen that the lower handle has welded or fixedly secured thereto, a forwardly projecting'arm I06 which functions to operate the staple driving blade, all as will be described subsequently in greater detail. The stapling arm It has been separately drawn in Fig. 19, but this figure shows merely the frame of the stapling arm' rather than the complete assembly. The staple driving channel assembly has been omitted, but the general nature of this assembly will be evident by brief consideration of Fig. 9. It may be mentioned that the reversely bent member 88 which is received 4 around the end of the stapling arm to hold the arm, these serving 10's,. pivotal mounting of upper handle i2, as islater described." impar ia Y I 26 terminates short of the sides '16 of handle, as is best shown in Fig. a. d m 26 :is

therefore concealed by the upper handle and'is held against axial movement by the sides ofthe handle. The stapling arm I6 is pivotally related to the upper handle I2 by means of a'pin-28 the ends of which pass through the sides of the upper handle, as 'willbe seen in Figs. 1 and 4.

The main'parts, that is, the upper handle i2, thelower handle I, and the stapling arm I6, are normally held in their spread or at-rcst position. (shown in Fig. 2) by restoring springs preferably consisting of reversely bent pieces of spring metal. Referring to Fig. 2, restoring.

spring 68 is housed by the upper handle l2 and is l disposed between the upper handle and the spacer channel 32 of stapling arm I6. The spring V g is located in position by means of a lug 29 struck ,It may facilitate subsequent understanding-of.

upwardly from channel 82 and passing through a. mating hole 3| in the lower part of the spring. Restoring spring 34 is housed within lower handle l4 and is disposed between the lower handle and appearance of the stapling machine and oontrib- To obtain these'functions, the three main parts more specifically, are pivotally related. The stem-- pling arm I6 is provided with bearing holes 25 (Fig. 19). and the lower handle I4 is provided with a bearing hole 21, this being formed in arm I 06, as is clearly shown in Fig. 20. These two parts are assembled together in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 21. the rear part of the stapling arm being received within the side walls 20 of the handle 14, and the parts being pivotally connected by the pin 26. Figs. '19 and 21 also show additional bearing holes 23 through the stapling r of the machine must be relatively movable, and

the top wall 36 of the staple core 88 forming a part of .the stapling arm l6. Spring 34 has its sides bent together or neckedat 48, thus forming a loop 42 dimensioned to readily pass. the pin 28. The center part of the pin is necked at 44 for an axial distance sufiicient to just receive the necked part of the spring. The spring thus functions to hold the pin against axial movement, and it is therefore possible to terminate the ends of the pin nearly flush with the sides of the stapling machine. The spring 34 is held in desired forward position by a locating bump 46 struck down-; wardly from the top wall 36 of the staple core. and bearing against the mating, downwardly turned end 48 of the spring. The other end 50 .of the spring is also rounded to facilitate sliding of the spring relative to the handle during operation of the machine. 7

In a similar way, the upper end of spring 30 is rounded at 52, while the lower end is curved upwardly at 54 to fulfill the additional function of holding the pusher rod 56 anchored in position. More specifically, the rear end of the pusher rod' is turned forwardly at 58 and is provided with a hook 60 which is. received in the hole 62 in the spacer channel 32.. If the machine is acci-- dentally dropped on the floor, the hook 60 may escape from the hole, particularly when the staple channel is nearly empty, thereby decreasing the force of the staple feed spring 64. Inthe present machine the end 54 of restoring spring 30 is curved upwardly in such a manner as to bear rearwardly and downwardly against the downturned or hooked end 60 of the staple pusher rod. thus holding the same anchored in proper position.

The spring 38 is preferably made of lighter gauge metal than the spring 34, or in any event. is made to yield more readily than the spring 34. Inasmuch as the upper spring 30 functions to elevate the stapling arm fromthe anvil, it fol-. lows that when the machine is operated, the stapling arm first comes down upon the material on the anvil and compresses the material against the anvil before the heavier spring 34 begins to yield. This is shown by the change from Fig. 2 to Fig. 22. The heavier spring 34 functions to elevate the driving blade inside the stapling arm, and therefore the' driving blade descends and drives the staple home, as shown in Fig. 23, only after the material has been clamped between the stapling arm and the anvil.

It has been mentioned that the machine is preferably made up wholly of sheet metal parts, and is devoid of castings or the like. The construction of the handles is almost self-evident from the drawings, but it may be well to describe in some detail the manner" in which the parts of the staplin arm are assembled together. The stapling arm consists of two relatively extensive side plates 66, the general configuration of which is shown in Fig. 19. These side plates are connected by the staple core 38 and'also by the spacer channel 32, as is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 9 of the drawings. The staple core 38 consists of a piece of sheet metal bent to form top wall 36 and side walls 68 dimensioned to just receive the staple I therearound, as is shown in Fig. 5. The lower edges of side Walls 68 are displaced out-, wardly somewhat as shown at 12, and the parts I2 are secured to the lower edges of the side plates 66 by spot-welding the same together at a series of spaced points. This operation is a simple one with modern electric welding machinery. The sideward displacement of the lower edges 12 of the staple core is made slightly greater than the thickness of the staple legs, thus forming a space between the staple core and the side walls 66, which just receives the staples.

The spacer channel 32 consists of a strip of sheet metal the side edges of which are bent downwardly and secured between the side plates 66 by spot-welding. Inaddition to its function of spacing the plates 68 in proper relation, the spacer channel 32 also functions to hold the staples down on the staple core. This is done by terminating the lower edges of channel 32 at a point just above the top of the staple core, the spacing therebetween being accurately determined to properly receive the staples 10, as will be clear from Fig. of the drawings. In this waythe frame of the'staple arm is made up; and the manner in which the staple drive channel is assembled and secured to the frame, is next'described. Referring to Fig. 9, the forward ends of the side plates 66 are provided with forwardly projecting locating lugs M. An inner wear plate I6 is dimensioned to fit across the ends of side plates 66, and wear plate I6 is recessed at 18 to receive the locating lugs 14. Wear plate 16 is preferably longitudinally slotted at 80 to permit the passage therethrou h of the forward end or tip 82 of the operating arm which moves the staple driving blade 84. The lower end of wear plate 16 has an inverted U-shaped slot 86 cut therethrough, this slot being dimensioned to permit the passage of staples therethrough. The s ot is located to register with the forward end of the staple core 38, so that staples will move smoothly from the staple core through the slot 86. the inner walls of slot 86 forming in effect a continuation of the staple core.

The driving blade 84 consists of a simple rectangular strip of appropriately hardened steel.

It is apertured at 88 to receive the forward end 82 of the arm which actuates the blade. The drive channel is completed by an outer wear plate 90 which in over-all dimen .ion is identical with the inner wear plate I6. However. it is made of thicker metal and is depressed somewhat at 92 throughout its length. to form a channel which just receives the drive blade 84. Outer wear plate 90 may be slott d at 94 to receive the end of the operating arm 02. This permits the arm to be dimensioned to pass well beyond driving blade 84, and guards against any possibility of escape. The outer wear plate 90 is, of course, recessed at 96 to receive the locating lugs I4. It will be understood that the inner and outer wear plates nest around the blade 84 and fit against and close the ends of side plates 66 of the stapling arm. These parts are held in assembled relation by a plate 98 which is reversely bent to U-shape, and which may be slipped over the driving blade assembly and about the sides of plates 66. More specifically, the part 98 is preferably made of spring metal, and its sides I00 are normally sprung together. They must be forced apart somewhat to slip the same about the side plates 66. The sides I00 are perforated at I02, and the side plates 66 are provided with 7 short projections I04. These are formed by striking small discs of sheet metal and welding the same to the sides of plates 66. The resulting stub pins I04 receive the apertures I02 and hold the plate 98 tightly against the driving channel assembly. The driving channel'necessarily receives the staple with a snug fit, but in accordance with our invention, the channel is yieldable to facilitate the removal of clogged or jammed staples, or to permit the passage therethrough of an accidentally oversized or deformed staple. This object is attained by making the end wall 22 of the member 98 convex inwardly, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 8. The bent or convexed wall 22 bears against the outer wear plate 90, and forces it tightly against the inner wear plate 16. This determines the dimension of the drive channel 92 in an almost positive manner, yet under suflicient pressure the outer wear plate is able to move away from the inner wear plate against the yieldable spring pressure of the curved wall 22.

with reference to Figs. 3 and'20 of the drawings. The reduced end 82 is a part of a main arm I06 formed by welding together two heavy gauge metal strips. The arm is enlarged somewhat at I08 to receive the bearing pin 26, and behind bearing pin 26 the two component strips of arm I06 are spread apart at IIO to form spaced arms II2 which fit between the side walls 20 of the lower handle at the upper edge thereof, and which are spot-welded thereto. This construction will be clear from inspection of Figs. 3 and 20. It will also be understood from inspection of Fig. 21 that relative movement of the lower handle and the stapling arm I6 about the pin 26 will cause movement of the driving blade, and upward movement of the handle, as when squeezing the handles together, will cause a downward movement or driving stroke of the blade.

The present machine is provided. with stroke control mechanism to prevent upward movement of the driving blade once it has begun to move downwardly. This prevents the jamming of successive staples one on top of another in the driving channel, for a first stap e must be completely ejected before the driving blade can be restored to upward position far enough to permit the feed of another staple into the driving channel.

Referring to Fig. 10, the stroke control mechanism comprises a dog II4 pivoted on the driving arm I06 by the main pin 26 previously referred to. The dog cooperates with a cam II6. which cam is fixedly mounted on the stapling arm I6. The

through the rear end of the dog. The dog II4 has a top stop I20 bent sidewardly from the top of arm I06, and a pair of lugs or bottom stops I22 and 124 bent sidewardly beneath arm I06. The dog is normally pulled forwardly and upwardly by means of a pull spring I26, the lower end of which is connected to lug I22, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 11, and the upper end of which is connected to a hook I 28 struck inwardly from one-of the side walls 66. as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The construction of the hook is also clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. shows the relation of the parts when the machine is at rest with the driving blade in uppermost position. When the arm I06 is moved downwardly somewhat, the dog II4 leaves cam step I30 and enters the second step I32, the parts then being in the relation shown in Fig. 11. This prevents upward movement of arm I06 and consequently of driving blade 84, these being connected at tip 82. At this time the lower end of the driving blade covers the forward end of the staple magazine slot, and thus prevents the feed of another staple from-the magazine into the staple drive channel. Q As the stroke of the blade is continued, the dog H4 is moved rearwardly by the curved camming surface I34, and at} the bottom of the driving stroke, it is movedrearwardly far enough for the bottom lug I24 to'slip behind a shoulder I36.onj.-

the bottom of armkI06. the relation showninFig. 12. This holds the dog II4 in retracted or inoperative position'during the upward or restoring movementxjol' the driving blade. The dog thus readily passes the step I32 and bears against the step I30. Step I arrests continued upward movement of dog I I4 just prior to the completion of upward movement of the driving blade, and continued upward movement causes the lug I24 to leave shoulder I36, whereupon the spring I26 pulls the dog forwardly, thus bringing the dog into the position shown in Fig. 10 where it is again made operative and is ready for the next driving stroke of the machine.

The cam H6 is formed on the reversely bent end of a piece of sheet metal. and referring to Fig. 3, it may be explained that there is a fairly extensive piece of sheet metal I38 the middle part I40 of which is displaced outwardly slightly and welded to the side plate 66 of the stapling arm. The rear part I42 is perforated to receive pin 26, and acts as a bearing against which the dog II4 rests. The plate I38 is reversely bent at its forward end, and this reversely bent part is shaped to act asthe-cam II6. On advantage of this arrangement is that the dog I I4 rests against and is guided by the plate I38 as it cooperates with the dog. As a matter of fact, the action of pull spring I26 is three-fold, for it not only pulls the dog forwardly and upwardly, but also tends to oscillate the forward end of the dog outwardly so that it bears at all times against plate I38 andv therefore is assured of remaining in abutting and cooperating relation with cam II6. In this way a dependable engagement therebetween is maintained even though both the dog and the cam are made of thin sheet material. The use of sheet material is advantageous not only for economy, but also in minimizing the side-to-side dimension of the stapling machine, thus maintaining the compact thin or fiat shape of the machine.

The construction of the staple core has already The parts are then in l inner wear plate 16, and this is desirable in -nrder to push even the last staple into thestaple drive channel. However, it is also desirable to prevent the staple pusher from being hit by the driving blade 84 if it is attempted to' actuate the machine after the staple supply has been exhausted. For this purpose, the staple pusher is provided with a stop I48 which limits its forward movement. In the present case the stop I48 is simply a lug struck upwardly from top wall I44, and the tip of this lug is displaced inwardly from the front end of the staple pusher an amount just equal to the thickness of the inner wear plate I6. In this way the last staple isfed into the drive channel, but the stapl pusher itself cannot enter the drive channel. v

Y The staple pusher is carried on a pusher rod 56 previously referred to. In Fig. 17 it will be seen that bearing ears I50 and I52 for the pusher rod are bent upwardly at the ends of a strip of .metal I54 which'is secured to the top of the pusher, as by welding. It will also be seen that ear I50 has a round bearing hole, while ear I52 has a more complex hole consisting of a round hole with a slot extending thereacross. More broadly, the hole in ear I52 is non-circular.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 6, it will be seen that the forward end of pusher rod 56 is flattened at I56. The end of the rod is riveted at I58 in order to hold the pusheron the rod despite the action of the feed spring-64. -The forward end of the feed spring bears against the ear I50, while the rear end of the feed spring bears against a pair of projections I60 which are formed by pinching the rod at the top and bottom. We prefer the use of the pair of projections in order to obtain asymmetrical stop for the end of the spring. When the pusher and pusher rod are removed from the machine, the feed sp ing holds the pusher at the forward end of the 0d, and at this time the flattened part I56 of thehgusher rod is received in the non-circular slot in -ear I52, thus preventing relative rotation of the pusher and pusher rod. This facilitates the insertion of the pusher into the staple magazine, for a fixed relation is determined between the staples into the machine,'we provide a saddle or guide member I62 projecting rearwardly from the upper surface of the staple core '38. With this part I62 available, there is no need to aim the staple stick directly and accurate 'y into the relatively confined passage in the taple magazine. Instead, the staple stick is merely laid upon -the rounded by the magazine walls. The staple clip is then simply pushed forwardly into the staple magazine, it being guided by, the member I62.

After the staple stick has been thus dropped into the magazine, the staple pusher is replaced behlr dthe staple stick, as previously described. It will'be appreciated that both of these aids to reloading the machine are particularly desirable and convenient in the present case where the staple magazine is substantially fully enclosed and housed within th overlapping handles I2 and I4.

The anvil for the stapling machine may be made in several ways. The underlying construction is best described with reference to Fig. 18 which shows the anvil in simplest form. In this form the anvil comprises a single piece of sheet metal stamped and bent to form a cross-plate I64 and side arms I56. These side arms are preferably extended rearwardly far enough to come around the main pivot pin 28. and the arms are enlarged at I58 (Fig. l) for that purpose. It should be understood. however, that the arms do not move about the pin relative to the upper plier handle I2, and instead are secured rigidly thereto. preferably by welding. As a matter of fact, the sides of the stapling arm are projected forwardly to form a pair of inner arms I (Fig.

-2), and these extend forwardly almost to the cross-plate I84 tFig. 18) of the anvil. The arms I66 and I10 are spot-welded together at one or more selected points, resulting in effect in anvil supporting arms of double thickness. In this way the arms are strengthened and stiffened, and are well adapted to tak the stapling pressure exerted by the machine when the handles are squeezed together. The cross-plate IE4 is in the present case indented to form a single clinching slot I12, and the legs of the staple are received and turned by this clinching slot.

In Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 7a, we show a somewhat more complex form of anvil, and the construction may be described in a general way by saying that the cross-plate I64 of the anvil previously described is now used as a support plate for the anvil proper, which in turn is movable on the support plate so that one of several positions may be assumed by the anvil. More specifically, the support plate is numbered I14, and is formed integrally with side arms I16, the latter corresponding to the side arms I60 previously referred to. The anvil consists of a piece of heavy gauge sheet metal reversely bent on itself to form an upper plate I18 connected to a lower plate I80 by a curved forward edge I82. The upper and lower plates I18 and I80 are spaced apart by an amount just equal to the thickness of the support plate I14, and the anvil is therefore slidable on the support plate with a frictional fit. The width of the anvil is made substantially equal to the space between the side arms I16, and the anvil is therefore guided against sideward movement while it is being moved forwardly or rearwardly. The motion of the anvil may be limited by cooperation of a slot I84 in the support plate I14 cooperating with a pin I86 struck downwardly somewhat from the top plate I18 of the anvil. The anvil is provided with a first clinching slot I88 for turning the staple legs together,

and a second slot I00 for turning the legs outwardly. One of these slots is brought beneath the staple driving channel when the anvil is moved all the way in. and the other is brought beneath the staple drive channel when the anvil is moved all the way out. Tohelp position the anvil properly in position. we provide a projection I92 at the bottom of the anvil near the rear end thereof. This projection serves two functions. When the anvil is pushed inwardly, the projection I92 comes behind the rear edge of the support plate I14, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus helps keep the anvil In inward position. When the anvil is pulled outwardly, the projection I92 presses against the support plate I14 and increases the friction between the anvil and the support plate. and thus helps keep the anvil in outward position. I

Another reason why the projection I92 is desirable is that it increases the tolerance for the fit between the anvil and the support. plate. The anvil must be hardened. and during the hardening operation, some warping or change in the spacing between the legs of the U may talie place.

With perfectly flat surfaces this difference might movable anvil now described, compared to the one-piece anvil shown in Fig. 18, is that with the present anvil it is unnecessary to harden the supporting structure including the side arms I16. Only the separate U-shaped anvil piece need be hardened. The particular anvil now being described is also arranged to permit the forcible ejection of a staple which has become clogged or jammed in the staple drive channel. To accomplish this result, it is necessary, on the one hand, to arrest downward movement of the staple arm so that the pressure of the handles may be applied to the driving blade, and on the other hand, to present a clear passage for ejection of the clogged staple from thestaple drive channel. These are seemingly conflicting requirements, but we accomplish the desired result by providing a staple passage through the anvil and through the anvil support. Thus, referring to Figs. 7 and 7a, the top plate I18 of the anvil is provided with a slot or passage I94. This is large enough to pass a staple. The anvil support I14 is matingly slotted at I95. The bottom plate I80 of the anvil is anyway cut away throughout most of its area, as is indicated at I98, and therefore presents no obstruction to the staple. It will be understood that with this arrangement it is merely necessary to position the anvil in a mid-position halfway between the clinching slot I80 and spreading slot I90. The handles are then squeezed together, whereupon the stapling arm moved downwardly until it bears against the anvil, following which the pressure of the handles is applied to the driving blade which forces the jammed staple out of the driving clggnnel and through the passage I94. I06 and I In Figs. 15 and 16 we show a modified way in which provision for ejection of a jammed staple may be made. In this arrangement the anvil may be either of the single type shown in Fig. 18. or of the double or movable type shown in Fig. 7. and it is the latter type that is specifically shown in the drawing. In other words, there is an anvil 200 which is movable to either oftwo positions on an anvil support plate 202. The anvil support plate 202 is formed integrally with side arms 204. These are not welded to the arms 20B projecting forwardly from the upper handle I2.

sired to eject a clogged staple, the anvil assembly is pulled forwardly against spring 2l2 and is held forwardly while squeezing the handles together. The tip end of the stapling arm comes against the anvil and is stopped thereby, but the staple itself comes behind the rear edge of the anvil and the staple is ejected in the clear space or passage which is found behind the anvil and between the anvil support arms.

It is sometimes desirable to be able to locate a staple at an exact point on the material being stapled. It is difiicult to determine the location of the staple because the material being stapled covers up the anvil and consequently hides the clinching slot. Referring to Fig. 1, we provide marks on each side of the forward end of the machine, these marks preferably being in the shape of arrows, one of which is indicated at 2 I 6. The arrow marks the location of the driving slot and the prospective location of the staple. It will be understood, however, that the stapling arm comes downwardly out of the forward end of the handle by a small amount during the stapling operation, and we therefore provide additional marks or arrows on the sides of the stapling arm, and referring to Fig. 14, one of these arrows is shown at 2l8. The arrows 216 and 2 l8 are really in registration when the ma chine is at rest, as shown in Fig. 1, but arrow 2l8 becomes visible and is even more important as the machine is operated, because when the stapling arm l6 bears against the material, the arrow 2| 8 is close to the material and shows just where the staple will emerge. It will be understood that there are two similar arrows on the 1 opposite side of the machine. It will also be understood that these may be located directly opposite one another at right angles to the length of the machine, but in the specific machine here disclosed, they are displaced slightly from one another because the staple drive channel is not strictly perpendicular to the machine. It is at a slight angle as is readily seen in Fig. 8, and the object of this is so that the staples in the staple stick may be in angular or racked relation, in which case they may be more strongly adhered together by the cement or like material used to assemble the staples into a staple stick.

It is sometimes necessary to extract a previously clinched staple from the material through which it has been driven. This is a simple matter indeed if a suitable tool is available, yet is troublesome if no tool is conveniently at hand. In the present machine, provision is made to assist the extraction of a staple so that the extracting means will be on hand at all times, it forming a part of the machine. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a staple extracting blade 220 is formed at the rear end of the handle [2 of the machine. This blade is provided with a reasonably sharp edge and has a width less than the space between the legs of the staple. To use the blade 220 it is merely necessary to turn the machine upside-down and to then use the end 220 as though it were the end of a screw driver or the like.

The staple extracting blade may be positioned elsewhere on the machine, as, for example, at the forward end, and we show a blade 222 at the forward end of the handle l2. This blade is like the blade 220, and is used in similar fashion. It is formed integrally with handle l2. It is not necessary to have both the blades 220 and 222, but we have illustrated both locations in the present machine, and it will be understood that simply placing the parts together and putting the upper pin 26in place. The stroke control dog H4 is, of course, disposed alongside the op erating arm I06, whilethe parts are being put together and before the pin 26 is passed th'rougli\ the parts. The upper handle I2 is then assembled with the lower handle and stapling arm, and the bottom restoring spring 34 is held in place while the lower pin 28 is passed through the machine. The upper restoring spring 30 may be pushed into place from the rear of the machine. The staple pusher and associated. pusher rod are added in theusual way afterloading the magazine with staples.

In operation, the material to be stapled is placed in the jaw of the machine and the handles are squeezed together. The upper spring 30 yields first, as shown in Fig. 22, and the stapling arm and anvil "move together until the material is compressed therebetween. During this preliminary movement, the lower handle and the stapling arm move as a unit and are prevented from relative movement by the heavy restoring spring 34. The arrows H6 and 2l8 (Fig. 14) may be glanced at to determine the location of the staple. Further pressure of the handles causes a movement of the lower handle relative to the stapling arm (for no further compression of spring 30 can take place), and the resulting upward movement of the lower handle about pivot 26 (Figs, 20 and 21) is accompanied by a downward movement of arm I06 which in turn forces the staple driving blade downwardly, as shown in Fig. 23, thus driving the endmost staple through the material and against the anvil clinching slot. This will turn the staple legs inwardly or outwardly depending upon the positioning of the movable anvil. The stroke control mechanism prevents the feed of any succeeding staples from the magazine into the driving channel until after the first staple has been driven out. A jammed staple may be ejected by moving'the anvil until a clear passage for the staple is provided, and then actuating the handles. The staple is able to pass through the staple channel even if oversi'zed or deformed, etc., because the staple channel is itself yieldable due to the influence of the convexed spring wall 22 which holds the parts of the staple channel in assembled relation. The machine may be operated until the very last staple has been used:

" and may then be reloaded with a new staple stick in a rapid and expeditious manner by reason of the features previously pointed out for expediting reloading;

It is believed that the many advantages of our improved stapling machine will be understood from the foregoing detailed description, but some of the advantages will be reviewed hereinafter, without attempting to follow the order in which the subject has been previously presented. The movable anvil is held in place and guided by the anvil support arms, and is inexpensive to manufacture, as well as neat and compact in appearance. The projection I92 on the anvil limits the friction and pressure to a small area, and results in a usable degree of friction between the anvil and the support plate despite strains causing opening or closing of the U-shape of the anvil during case hardening of the material. It also holds the anvil in rearward position, and this is preferably made the most commonly used position, namely for clinching.

The stroke control is fool-proof and dependable in operation, and is inexpensive to make, as well as compact in dimension. The dog and fcam are thin, yet kept in alignment by the side plate of the cam and the spring action on the dog which helps move it' against the side plate.

The drive channel may be made with extremely accurate dimension, and this dimension is maintained except under extraordinary pressure, at which time, however, the parts of the drive channel may spread apart, thus facilitating the ejection of a twisted or bent staple without any danger of damage to the machine. The parts of the staple drive channel are conveniently assembled together and are held in proper alignment and registration at the end of the stapling arm. The wear plates and driving blade are comparatively simple straight strips of material, and may be made of hardened metal for long wear. The spring action of the end piece which holds the parts together has a double function, first, in keeping the side plates together against the side plates of the stapling arm and over the studs I04, and second, in convexing the end wall 22 inwardly against the parts of the staple drive channel.

The pusher rod with its feed spring is locked in position by the, additional action of the end 54 of restoring spring 30, and this guards against dislodgement or escape of the pusher rod, particularly when the staples have nearly all been used, so that the feed spring is under reduced tension. The restoring springs 30 and 34 are both anchored in position and both serve additional functions, the extra function for spring 34 being to hold the pivot pin 28 against axial movement. The staple pusher is dimensioned to make possible the feed of even the last-staple into the staple drive channel, yet is provided with stop means which makes it impossible for the pusher to move into the staple drive channel where it might be struck by the driving blade with consequent injury to the staple pusher or blade, or the operating parts of the machine, such as might result if the handles were forced together under extreme pressure by someone oblivious of the fact that there are no additional staples in the machine. It should be understood in this connection that, the desire to feed the last staple into the staple channel is not merely with a view to using up the staples, for a few remaining staples might be left ahead of the next staple clip, but rather is because if the pusher stops short of the end of the staple core, a few remaining staples, if loose, might tilt over into the drive channel and thus clog the machine when struck by the staple driving blade.

Many features of mechanical construction are self-evident and probably require no review. Also the slim, smooth, fully enclosed streamlined appearance of the machine will be evident without further detailed discussion. The non-circular fit between the pusher rod and staple pusher is convenient when loading the machine, for usually the pusher assembly is laid on the table while the staple clip is being loaded into the machine, and at this time the rod may turn with respect to the pusher, thus making it difficult or at least annoying when attempting to replace the pusher into the magazine, because the parts must be lined up properly and aimed correctly. With the present structure, the pusher is locked in proper position on the rod, and at the same time the economy of using apusher rod made of simple round wire stock, is retained. The advantages of the ejector for clogged staples, the arrows for ejected in practically every instance, particularly in view of the combination of the staple ejection arrangement together'with the yieldable drive channel assembly.

The load-in saddle or guide member 162 at the rear end of the staple magazine is helpful when adding the staple clip, and also when replacing the staple pusher behind the staple clip. The reloading operation may be performed in less time, and the saddle is especially convenient if one happens to break the staple clip, for even short pieces of staple clip may be successfully loaded into the staple magazine.

It will be apparent that while we have shown and described our invention in preferred forms. many changes and modifications may be made in the structures disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A substantially fully enclosed plier type stapling machine comprising an upper handle formed of a downwardly shaped piece of metal,

a lower handle formed of an upwardly shaped piece of metal, the sides of one of said handles fitting within the sides of the other handle, a stapling arm between said handles, anvil-carrying arms extending rearwardly from an anvil and secured to the sides of the upper handle, the sides of said upper handle being projected forwardly at said anvil arms and being secured to said anvil arms in order to increase the effective thickness of and to strengthen said anvil arms.

2. A substantially fully enclosed plier type stapling machine comprising an upper handle formed of a deeply downwardly shaped piece of metal, a lower handle formed of a deeply upwardly shaped piece of metal, the sides of one 'of said handles fitting just within the sides of the other handle, a stapling arm received within said handles, a pin pivotally relating the stapling arm and upper handle, anvil-carrying arms extending rearwardly from an anvil and secured to the sides of the upper handle at the pin, said arms increasing the bearing surface for said pin, the sides of said upper handle being projected forwardly at said anvil arms and being secured to said anvil arms in order to increase the effective thickness of and to strengthen said anvil arms.

3. A plier type stapling machine comprising an upper handle, a lower handle, a stapling arm including spaced side plates, a staple core consisting of a strip of metal of inverted U-shaped cross-section with its lower edges secured to said side plates, a second inverted U-shaped strip disposed above said staple core and secured to the side plates in order to space the same apart, the staples being carried betweerrthe sides of the staple core and side plates and between the top of the staple core and the lower edges of the spacer member, said stapling arm being disposed between said upper and lower handles.

4. A substantially fully enclosed plier type stapling machine comprising an upper handle formed of a downwardly shaped piece of metal, a lower handle formed of an upwardly shaped piece of metal, the sides of said lower handle fitting withinthe sides of the upper handle, a stapling arm including spaced plates the sides of which are receivedmithin the sides of the lower handle,

a staple core consisting of a strip of metal of inverted U-shaped cross-section with its lower edges secured to said side plates, a second inverted U-shaped strip disposed above said staple core and secured to the side plates in order to space the same apart, the staples being carried between the sides of the staple core and side plates and between the top of the staple core and the lower edges of the spacer member, said stapling arm being substantially fully'enclosed within said upper and lower handles, the end of said staple arm functioning to just close the open forward end of the upper handle when the machine is at rest, an upper pin pivotally relating the stapling arm and lower handle, said upper pin being held against axial movement by the sides of the upper handle, a lower pin pivotally relating the stapling arm and upper handle, and spring means housed within said handles between said handles and stapling arm for restoring the machine to normal position.

5. A drive channel assembly for a stapling machine, said assembly comprising separate inner and outer wear plates supported in face to face relation, the inner wear plate being slotted near its lower end to permit passage of staples therethrough, a driving blade resting against said inner wear plate, the outer wear plate resting against said driving blade and against said inner wear plate at each side of the driving blade, one of said wear plates being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and staples, and means to hold the assembly together.

6. A drive channel assembly for a stapling machine, said assembly comprising side plates carrying mechanism for moving a driving blade and also carrying a staple core, the forward edges to permit passage of staples therethrough, a driving blade resting against said inner wear plate, an outer wear plate resting against said driving blade and inner wear plate, said outer wear plate being recessed to slidably receive the locating lugs, said assembled pair of wear plates being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and a staple being driven thereby, and resilient means to yieldably hold the wear plate together.

8. A drive channel assembly for a stapling machine, said assembly comprising .side plates carrying mechanism for moving a driving blade and also carrying a staple core, an inner wear plate slotted to permit passage of staples therethrough, a driving blade resting against said inner wear plate, an outer wear plate resting against said inner wear plate, an outer wear plate resting against said driving blade and inner wear plate, one of said wear plates being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and a staple being driven thereby, and a plate bent to U-shape'and received around said side plates and wear plates to hold the parts in assembled relation.

9. A drive channel assembly for a stapling machine, said assembly comprising side plates carrying mechanism for moving a driving blade and also carrying a staple core, an inner wear plate slotted to permit passage of staples therethrough, a driving blade bearing against said inner wear plate, an outer wear plate bearing against said driving blade and inner wear plate. said assembly of inner and outer wear plates being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and a staple being driven (thereby, and a spring metal plate bent to U- of said plates having forwardly projecting locating lugs, an inner wear plate fitting directly against the forward edges of said side walls and having recesses receiving said lugs, the upper part of said wear plate being longitudinally slotted to permit connection between the operating mechanism and the driving blade, said wear plate also being slotted near its lower end to permit passage of staples therethrough, a driving blade resting against said inner wear plate, an outer wear plate resting against said driving blade and inner wear plate, said outer wear plate being recessed to receive the locating lugs, one of said wear plates being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and staples being driven thereby, and means to hold the wear plates together.

'7. A drive channel assembly for a stapling machine, said assembly comprising side plates carrying mechanism for moving a driving blade and also carrying a staple core, the forward edges of said plates having forwardly projecting locating lugs, an inner wear plate fitting directly against the forward edges of said side walls and having recesses slidably receiving said lugs, the upper part of said wear plate being longitudinally slotted to permit connection between the operating mechanism and the driving blade, said wear plate also being slotted near its lower end shape and received around the side platesand wear plates to hold the partsin assembled relation, the connecting part of said U-plate being bent convexly inward to form a resilient support for holding the wear plates together, whereby said drive channel is tightly maintained in proper dimension but may expand in the event of clogging or jamming of staples.

10. A drive channel assembly for a stapling machine, said assembly comprising side plates carrying mechanism for moving a drivingblade and also carrying a staple core, the forward edges of said plates having forwardly projecting locating lugs, an inner wear plate fitting directly against the forward edges of said side walls and having recesses receiving said lugs, the upper part of said wear plate being longitudinally slotted to permit connection between the operating mechanism and the driving blade, said wear plate also being slotted in U-shape near its lower end to permit passage of staples therethrough, a driving blade restingagainst said inner wear plate, an outer wear plate resting against said driving ing blade and inner wear plate, said outer wear plate being recessed to receive the locating lugs, said outer wear plate being longitudinally channeled to accurately receive the driving blade and staples, and a spring metal plate bent to U-shape and received around said side plates and wear plates to hold the parts in assembled relation, studs on said side plates received in mating apertures on the inwardly sprung sides of the U-plate to hold the U-plate tightly against the wear plates, the connecting part or cross-bar of said U-plate being bent convexly inward to form a I in the event of clogging or jamming of staples.

11. A stapling machine including a staple magazine, an upper handle, a pusher and pusher spring for feeding the staples toward the forward dition, a generally U-shaped leaf spring disposed between the magazine and the upper handle in said stapling machine, one end of said leaf spring being so shaped as to bear against the inner hook-shaped part of the pusher rod in order to help hold said part against accidental dislodgement from the desired hooked engagement.

12. A stapling machine comprising an anvilcarrying upper handle, a stapling arm carrying lower handle, an upper pin between said lower handle and staple arm affording relative movement to actuate the driving blade, a lower pin between said upper handle and staple arm afiording relative movement of the staple arm and anvil, a generally U-shaped leaf spring between said upper handle and staple arm and another between said lower handle and staple arm for restoring the parts to initial position, and means to locate said springs during operation of the stapling machine, including anchoring projections struck upwardly from the upper surface of the stapling arm and downwardly from the lower surface of the stapling arm, and cooperating with said springs to locate the same in position.

13. A stapling machine comprising a stapling arm, a lower handle pivotally related to said stapling arm, an anvil-carrying member, a pin extending transversely through said member and stapling arm, a bent leaf restoring spring disposed between the stapling arm and the lower handle, and means to hold said pin in position, said means including a portion of reduced diameter at the midd'.e of the pin, and a portion of the leaf-spring fitting into and engaging said reduced portion of the pin and thereby preventing axial movement of the pin.

14. A stapling machine comprising an anvilcarrying upper handle, a stapling arm carrying lower handle, said stapling arm and handle being relatively movable to actuate a driving blade of the stapling arm, a pin extending transversely through said upper handle and stapling arm, a reversely bent leaf spring disposed between said lower handle and stapling arm for restoring the driving blade to upward position, and means to hold said pin in position, said means including a portion of reduced diameter at the middle of the pin and a necked portion on the leaf spring fitting into and engaging said reduced portion of the pin and thereby preventing axial movement of the pin.

15. A plier type stapling machine comprising an anvil, an upper handle, a lower handle, a stapling arm having a staple drive channel, and means to indicate the location of a staple about to be driven into material on the anvil while the material is covering the clenching slot on the anvil, said means including indicating arrows marked at the sides of the upper hande and at the sides of the stapling arm in alignment with the staple drive channel.

16. The combination with a stapling machine having a stapling arm including a staple driving blade, an. anvil support, and a movable anvil, of meansto permit ejection of a clogged staple, said means including a, passage clearing said anvil and the anvil support, whereby the stapling arm may be moved down against the anvil and the driving blade actuated to force the clogged staple out of the machine and through the aforesaid passage.

17. The combination with a stapling machine having a stapling arm including a staple driving blade, an anvil support, and a movable anvil thereon, of means to permit ejection of a clogged staple, said means including slots cut through said anvil and anvil support therebeneath, said anvil being movable to bring said slots into registration with each other and with the driving blade, whereby the stapling arm may be moved down against the anvil and the driving blade actuated to force the clogged staple out of the machine and through the aforesaid passage.

18. A plier type stapling machine comprising upper and lower handles and a stapling arm, said handles consisting of reversely formed pieces of metal which function to substantially fully enclose the stapling arm, said stapling arm including a staple magazine adapted for loading from the rear end, said magazine including a staple core having top and side walls, and means to facilitate the loading of a staple stick into said staple magazine including a guide projecting rearwardly from the end of the staple core to a point outside of the staple magazine, whereby the end of said staple stick may be preliminarily placed downwardly upon and rested on top of said guide and then pushed into said magazine.

19. A stapling machine comprising an upper handle formed of a downwardly shaped piece of metal, said handle being open at its forward end, a lower handle received between the side walls of the upper handle, a stapling arm received in the hollow space formed within said lower and upper handles, the forward end of said arm including a single piece of metal forming a front wall and two side walls bent rearwardly therefrom, the resulting piece being so dimensioned as to just fill the space within and to thereby close the forward open end of the upper handle when the machine is at rest.

20. In a plier type stapling machine, a staple driving blade, an upper handle, a lower handle, a staple magazine, said upper handle being pivoted to said magazine at a point below the staple ,path in said magazine, said lower handle having an arm extending to the driving blade for operating the same and being pivoted to said magazine on a second pivot spaced from the first pivot and located above the staple path in said magazine.

21. A plier-type stapling machine comprising an upper handle formed of a downwardly-bent U-shaped piece of metal, and a lower handle formed of an upwardly-bent U-shaped piece of metal, the sides of one handle fitting slidably within the sides of the other handle, a stapling arm received between and within said upper and lower handles, said stapling arm being movable relative to the handles and including a staple magazine and staple feed means and a staple driving blade, a pivot connecting one of the handles directly to the stapling arm, and a separate pivot displaced from the first pivot and connecting the other handle directly to the stapling arm, said handles being only indirectly connected together through the agency of the "aforesaid stapling arm and spaced pivots.

. LOU OBSTFELD.

JOHN H. FANCHER. 

